With the initial jury process complete, more than 300 works of art from over 170 artists with disabilities will be featured in the 19th annual Art Ability Exhibition and Sale at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, opening in November. Among those works on exhibit and available for sale is Conversation round 11 pm regarding no corruption by Charles Blackwell of Oakland, California, this year’s featured artist. Each year a featured work is selected by committee to best represent the mission of Art Ability to increase public awareness of the competency of individuals with disabilities and to encourage others to reach beyond their own limitations.

Art Ability celebrates the work of artists with disabilities and each year hundreds of artists from around the world submit their work to be included as part of the annual exhibit and sale. Art Ability is an annual juried event for artists with physical, cognitive and/or hearing disabilities.

Charles Blackwell was a 19-year-old art student when a fall left him legally blind, with minimal peripheral vision. Blackwell’s life-long love of jazz music serves as the inspiration for his energetic paintings. Currently, he resides in the San Francisco area where he is active in the artistic community, organizing writers’ workshops and community cultural arts events.

“The talent of these artists completely transcends any and all limitations,” said Donna Phillips, President, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital. “Art Ability communicates a powerful message regarding the exceptional competencies of people with disabilities, and encourages every one of us to reach beyond our own personal obstacles.”

This year, the Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital Art Ability Exhibition and Sale will be held from November 2, 2014 through January 25, 2015 at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, 414 Paoli Pike, Malvern. The exhibition will open with a Preview Reception on Saturday, November 1. Tickets for this event can be purchased online at mainlinehealth.org/artability or by contacting the Art Ability Office at 484.596.5607. Beginning Sunday, November 2, the Art Ability Exhibition and Sale will be open daily and is free to the public.

About Main Line Health

Founded in 1985, Main Line Health is a not-for-profit health system serving portions of Philadelphia and its western suburbs. Main Line Health’s commitment—to deliver advanced medicine to treat and cure disease while also playing an important role in prevention and disease management as well as training physicians and other health care providers—reflects our intent to keep our community and ourselves well ahead. A team of more than 10,000 employees and 2,000 physicians care for patients throughout the Main Line Health system.

At Main Line Health’s core are four of the region’s most respected acute care hospitals—Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital—as well as one of the nation’s recognized facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital.

The Main Line Health system also includes Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice, which includes skilled home health care, hospice and home infusion services; Main Line Health Centers, primary and specialty care, lab and radiology, and other outpatient services located in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Exton and Newtown Square; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization; and Main Line HealthCare, one of the region’s largest multispecialty physician networks.

Main Line Health is the recipient of numerous awards for quality care and service, including System Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest distinction for nursing excellence, the Mid-Atlantic Alliance for Performance Excellence (MAAPE) Excellence Award, and recognition as among the nation’s best employers by Forbes magazine. Main Line Health is committed to creating an environment of diversity, respect and inclusion and has proudly embraced the American Hospital Association’s #123forEquity Pledge to Act to eliminate disparities in care. We are dedicated to advancing patient-centered care, education and research to help our community stay healthy.

About Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, a member of Main Line Health, is a leader in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The 148-bed, not-for-profit hospital offers the full continuum of rehabilitation services, including acute inpatient care, as well as outpatient services for adults and adolescents. The range of illnesses and injuries treated at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital includes traumatic, mild traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury, stroke and other neurological disorders, spinal cord injury and amputee and orthopedic injuries and illnesses. In addition, Bryn Mawr Rehab provides rehabilitation services at convenient outpatient locations in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. The hospital has also achieved Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest distinction for excellence in nursing care.